Town News Briefing

June 15, 2006

CANTON

Reading Program

Begins Monday

CANTON -- The Canton Public Library is rewarding adult readers this summer in a 10-week reading program, which will begin Monday.

Through Aug. 25, adults can complete a review card by the circulation desk after finishing a book. Weekly, a card will be randomly selected. Winners can select one of two prizes on display for the week, and all remain eligible for an end-of-summer grand prize -- $100 worth of books and CDs.

CANTON

Summer Reading

Program For Children

CANTON -- Canton Public Library's summer reading program for children will begin Monday. Registration for ``Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales'' is required and will begin Monday.

Participants will be eligible for prizes, including a trip to the Bronx Zoo and passes to Lake Compounce Family Theme Park in Bristol. Children who read three books can earn a free-food coupon to a local venue. Children who read more books will be helping the East Coast Assistance Dogs Inc., which trains service dogs. Donations of dog food will be made to the organization based on the number of books participants have read.

The 2005 summer reading program won an Award of Merit from the school system.

For more information, contact the library at 860-693-5800.

CANTON

`Touch Tank'

To Be At Library

CANTON -- A free ``Traveling Touch Tank'' for children over 4 years old will be at the Canton Public Library this Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Cedar Island Marina Research Laboratory will bring various creatures that can be found around Long Island Sound. Presenters will give a talk about preserving the local habitat and protecting the animals that live there.

The program is free, and no registration is required.

SIMSBURY

Alzheimer's Care

To Be Discussed

SIMSBURY -- Resident Sue Bednarcyk will share her experience as a caregiver for her father, who had Alzheimer's disease, and how she found the resources one may need as a caregiver for a relative or friend, today at 7 p.m. at the senior center.

HARTFORD

14 Cats Abandoned

In Crate At Park

Hartford police are investigating the abandonment of 14 cats found in four crates near the fourth hole of the Goodwin Park golf course Tuesday.

The cats, suffering from heat exposure and dehydration, were taken to the Kennedy Veterinary Center in Windsor and were in good condition Wednesday.

Animal Friends of Connecticut is offering $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the person responsible for abandoning the cats.

Anyone with information, or an interest in adopting the cats, should call Hartford Sgt. Garth Perri, supervisor of the animal control unit, at 527-7300, ext. 5505

areawide

Storm Debris Accepted

Free At Landfill

Bloomfield and Windsor residents wishing to dispose of debris from recent storms may do so free of charge at the Windsor-Bloomfield landfill through July 1.

Free dumping privileges are limited to storm-related debris such as trees, branches, stumps, roof shingles and uprooted shrubs. Household trash is not included.

The landfill is at 500 Huckleberry Road in Windsor. It is open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call 860-285-1833.

WEST HARTFORD

Memorial Dedication

To Be On Local Cable

WEST HARTFORD -- A 90-minute program of last month's dedication of the Connecticut Veterans Memorial will be shown Friday, Saturday and Sunday on West Hartford Community Television Channel 5.

The memorial at North Main Street and Farmington Avenue was dedicated May 21. It includes the names of the 235 West Hartford veterans who gave their lives in service to the country.

The show will air at 10 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

WEST HARTFORD

New Charges Filed

Against Suspect

WEST HARTFORD -- A 47-year-old Hartford man already facing charges related to bank robberies in West Hartford and East Hartford has been charged in an armed holdup in January at a 24-hour CVS on New Britain Avenue.

Anthony Johnson, of Enfield St., was charged Tuesday with first-degree robbery and third-degree larceny. He is being held, with bail set at $10,000, and is next due in Superior Court in Hartford June 27.

Johnson approached the counter at the pharmacy and convenience store early on Jan. 19, handed the clerk a garbage bag and demanded that he fill it with cartons of cigarettes, according to witness accounts in an arrest warrant. He then pulled a gun from his coat and threatened: ``I'm not playing. I will shoot you,'' the warrant said. Johnson then left the pharmacy with $261 in cash and $918 in cigarettes.

Police caught up with Johnson on Feb. 2 after he allegedly robbed a Cumberland Farms in East Hartford, then the same CVS on New Britain Avenue.

WEST HARTFORD

Inmate Sentenced

In March Burglary

WEST HARTFORD -- A 41-year-old Hartford man already serving a six-year prison term on a violation of probation conviction has been sentenced in a March burglary of a Lockwood Terrace home during which he took nearly $3,000 in loot.